Zune/CES vs iPod/Macworld
12.21.06 - 04:27pm
The Zune did not exactly kick off with the roar of a lion, but more like the little beep of a lamb. CES, however could be set to help the Zune go from a beep to at least a bark.
Word is leaking out that one of the things that will be showcased at CES will be a barrage of Zune accessories.
The lack of accessories has been one in a list of reasons consumers avoid buying the Zune at least for the moment. The “made for iPod” monopoly is one of the things Microsoft is trying to challenge - and as a company familiar with monopolies they should know the tricks of the trade.
The Zune does have some accessories available, such as the M604 dock from Altec Lansing, the DLO Power Pack and an okay variety of others. A few though is not enough to come close to the over 3000 accessories available for the iPod, with everything from controlling your iPod through your clothing, with the iJacket, to a blitzkrieg of exotic iPod cases.
The Zune also has a lot to overcome in the vehicle and airplane integration market. Apple already has over 70% iPod integration in cars for 2007, along with six airline deals in the works. Microsoft has yet to have even one deal set up for car integration, much less airplanes.
Adding to the Zunes woes is the lack of a worldwide market, as Carl Gressum, an Ovum analyst says “Microsoft lacks a distribution partner for digital music in Europe and has therefore not introduced the Zune in Europe for the time being. It is also not present in Asia.”
Gressum adds that the Zunes big WiFi sharing lacks luster saying “It only works for three days, or the music can be played three times, whichever occurs first. Microsoft will face an uphill battle against Apple and its wider range of products.” That and there is the famous “…chicken or the egg” - It is more of “Welcome to the anti-social” as Zune users are having an extremely hard time finding someone to share their music with.
Macworld will also be an issue for Zune as it is sure to showcase a number of innovative accessories for the iPod, possibly a larger Video iPod (which would take out the Zunes’ now bigger screen) and maybe even the sought after, elusive iPod Phone.
Microsoft will most definitely try to create some allurement for the Zune at CES with new accessories allowing for extensions of use. That and compatibility with Vista, finally, (available Jan. 30th) should be enough to keep the Zune stumbling along, but whether or not it can dent Apple’s domination of the digital music market is a story yet to be told.
Speak Your Peace